Vince Nicoll Goalkeeping Schools

Thames Chase

The Forest Centre

Broadfields

Pike Lane

Upminster

RM14 3NS

T: 01708 641880

F: 01708 640581

What is Thames Chase?

Thames Chase is a Community Forest and is one of twelve Community Forests in England. It is a partnership project with a long-term aim:

"To renew and regenerate the landscape at the edge of East London and South Essex by creating Thames Chase, the Community Forest: a varied wooded landscape for local people to influence, create, use, enjoy and cherish."

Its target is to increase the woodland cover in the Thames Chase area to 30% by 2030, from just 8% cover when Thames Chase was established in 1990. This will require the planting of 5.5million trees on some 2,000ha (5,000 acres) of land.

The work of Thames Chase falls into six key areas, within which are more

detailed objectives:

Creating new woodlands

Managing existing woodlands

Creating and improving access

Involving local people

Conserving and enhancing the natural environment

Working in partnership and attracting funding

Get involved

There are many ways that you can "Get Involved" in your local Community Forest.

Firstly, why not visit the Thames Chase Forest Centre, the home of Thames Chase. Here, you can visit the stunning new Forest Centre building and the adjoining seventeenth century Broadfields Barn. Relax with a coffee in the café, treat yourself to some gifts from the shop, or just stroll around the surrounding landscape of new woods, meadows and ponds, all teeming with wildlife. There is also an interactive and fun exhibition to help all the family find out more about Thames Chase.

Secondly, there are almost 50 other sites that are also open to the public within Thames Chase; from well known Country Parks such as Thorndon and Eastbrookend to new, small community woodlands right on your doorstep. Go to Out and About to find out more about these sites.

Thirdly, there are exciting environmental education opportunities for children of all ages at the Thames Chase Forest Centre. From playschemes to birthday parties and after school groups, there will be something to appeal to everyone.

Lastly, if you have some spare time and energy, what about Volunteering in

Thames Chase?

Please may I welcome you to Thames Chase.

Our aims

To provide an enthusiastic volunteer group capable of undertaking a wide variety of practical conservation and maintenance tasks across the Thames Chase Community Forest area.

To maintain a base of regular volunteers ensuring sufficient weekly attendance for each task.

To provide experience and training opportunities for volunteers.

What type of tasks would I be expected to carry out?

A range of activities using a variety of hand tools, as part of a working group.

Tasks often include vegetation clearance, general habitat management and some installation/construction of outdoor facilities such as signage, boardwalks, handrails and bridges. You need to be reasonably fit.

What are the benefits?

Enjoy free outdoor exercise in the fresh air, several hours every week, year round.

Socialising – become part of a friendly group of like-minded people who care about the countryside.

Rewarding – most tasks result in immediate visual and practical improvement to the landscape and all are of benefit to the wildlife and local community - you will have helped this to happen!

Practical experience & skills that you gain can be transferred to your own work/leisure time.

What is provided?

Tools – we provide all tools and instruction in how to use them.

PPE – (Personal Protective Equipment) as necessary, such as gloves, goggles and hard hats.

First Aid – a qualified First Aider will lead the task each week. A First Aid kit is carried at all times.

Tea/coffee – at the lunchtime break (usually 12.30) we provide tea, coffee and biscuits.

Car sharing/Mileage – opportunities to share travel to sites with other volunteers, or claim mileage. To use your own car you will need to have “business use” stated on your insurance.

What do I need to bring?

A happy, smiling face – you will be working on sites where the public enjoy their leisure time. You may meet dog walkers, cyclists, horse riders and others of all ages whilst you are carrying out tasks.

Bring yourself to Thames Chase at 10 a.m. on Thursdays with a packed lunch, sufficient drinks, and be able to stay out with us until between 3.30 and 4.00 p.m. Please note that there are no toilets at most of the task sites on which we work.

Health & safety

A health and safety talk will be given at the start of each task – we require that you listen carefully to this and follow all instructions given throughout the day.

How can I join and become a volunteer?

CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) – we undertake CRB checks on all of our volunteers before they can join our group.

This is because they will be working on sites alongside the general public, including children, vulnerable adults and people with special needs. As this check incurs a cost for us as a charitable organisation, we require that volunteers are able to attend the group for approximately six months.

If you would like to join please complete a Volunteer Information Sheet and return it to:

Thames Chase, The Forest Centre, Broadfields Farm, Pike Lane, Cranham, Upminster,

Essex RM14 3NS.

Thames Chase 2009 Autumn half-term Playschemes

Tuesday 27th October “Tree Trails” 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon

Find your way around our Tree-Trail, try your hand at leaf-rubbing & create some leaf art to take home!

Wednesday 28th October “Using Your Camera” 10 a.m. to 12 noon

(led by the North Romford Camera Club) or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Bring your digital camera with fully-chargedbatteries – let the experts help you create your best photographs.

Thursday 29th October “Tree Trails” 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon

Find your way around our Tree-Trail, try your hand at leaf-rubbing & create some leaf art to take home!

£5 per child per session – limited places available.

Each activity must be booked and paid for in advance.

All activities are aimed at 8 to 12 yrs (under 8yrs are also welcome if accompanied by an adult throughout).

For bookings please call our Access & Interpretation Officer – Jennifer James on 01708 642960. Thames Chase, The Forest Centre, Pike Lane, Cranham, Upminster, Essex RM14 3NS.

Easter Programme 2010

April

Tuesday 6th 1.30 – 3 p.m. Treasure Trail 8-12yrs £5 per child

Wednesday 7th 10.30 to 12 noon Build a Bird Box 8yrs + £8.50 per child

Friday 9th 10.30 – 12.30 Family Orienteering 8-12 yrs £5.00 per child

Tuesday 13th 10.30 to 12 noon Build a Bird Box 8yrs + £8.50 per child

Wednesday 14th 10 – 12 noon You & Your Camera 8yrs + £5.00 per child

All must be booked and paid for in advance by ringing me on 01708-642960.

Jennifer James

Access and Interpretation Officer - Thames Chase

T: 01708 642960

www.thameschase.org.uk

Summer activities for 2010

Meet our Minibeasts

Try your hand at minibeast hunting! Catch & release

then make a collage of your favourite to take home.

Time: 10.30 to 12 noon. Price: £5.00

Dates: 28th Jul, 18th & 31st Aug. Ages: 6yrs +

Rockets

Recycle a bottle, design & launch your new rocket!

Time: 2.30 to 3.30 p.m.

Dates: 27th Jul, 10th & 24th Aug

Price: £5.00

Ages: 8yrs+

Family Orienteering

Bring your family team of 3 to 6 people including an adult – find your way with map and compass, answer our nature quiz. No previous experience or running required.

Time: 10.30 am to 1.00 pm Price: £5.00 per child

Dates: 6th & 20th Aug Ages: 8-12yrs

Sgraffito nature art

Inspired by a short nature walk, create a wax crayon

scraping of something you see. Art to take home!

Time: 2 to 3.30 p.m. Price: £5.00

Dates: 28th Jul, 18th Aug & 1st Sep Ages: 6yrs +

Maps & Mapsticks

Bring your digital camera and let the experts help

you create your best photographs.

Time: 2.30 – 4 p.m. Price: £5.00

Dates: 3rd & 25th Aug Ages: 6yrs+

All activities must be booked and paid for in advance.

Under 8 yrs must be accompanied by an adult.

For bookings and details: please call our Access and Interpretation Officer

Jennifer James: on 01708 642960

Thames Chase, The Forest Centre, Broadfields, Pike Lane, Upminster RM14 3NS